Pushing Up Daisies: An Agatha Raisin Mystery, Book 27

When Agatha Raisin left behind her public-relations business in London, she fulfilled her dream of settling in the cozy British Cotswolds, where she began a successful private detective agency. Unfortunately the village she lives in is about to get a little less cozy. Lord Bellington, a wealthy land developer, wants to turn the community garden into a housing estate. When Agatha and her friend, Sir Charles Fraith, attempt to convince Lord Bellington to abandon his plans, he scoffs.

In the Market for Murder: Lady Hardcastle, Book 2

Spring, 1909, and Lady Hardcastle, amateur sleuth and all-round eccentric, is enjoying a well-deserved rest. But a week after a trip to the cattle market, Spencer Caradine, a local farmer, turns up dead in the pub, face-down in his beef and mushroom pie. Once again, it is up to Lady Hardcastle and her maid, Florence, to solve the case.

Publisher's Summary

If you haven't already fallen in love with this internationally acclaimed series by M. C. Beaton, then this cunningly-crafted mystery will do the trick. Loaded with authentic Scots dialog vivid enough to make you smell the heather-scented air, Death of a Macho Man is Beaton at her best.

Hamish Macbeth - Lochdubh's one-man police force - has suddenly become a prime murder suspect when a belligerent newcomer turns up dead. To save his career, Macbeth must delve into this Macho Man's unsavory past.

Suddenly, suspects are everywhere: a salty fisherman, a reclusive romance writer, a respectable matron, a restauranteur's wife, and even Hamish's ex-fiancee Priscilla Halburton-Smythe and her newest boyfriend.

Fast-paced and loaded with quirky characters, Death of a Macho Man enhances Beaton's glowing reputation.

As always, Davina Porter does an excellent job giving life to the characters in and the character of Lochdub. This isn't Beaton's best MacBeth, but it's nevertheless both intriguing and entertaining. If you are already a Haimish fan, you'll enjoy this. If you're not, you might want to start with an earlier book in the series so you can get acquainted with Beaton's wonderful characters in a more chronological fashion. It's a good story and, with Porter's excellent narrating skills, it's great fun to listen to.

I enjoy a Hamish Macbeth mystery as a nice break from weightier stuff and I'm seldom disappointed. This seemed a bit longer than the others, but that was a minor issue, and otherwise it was another romp up in the Highlands. I particularly enjoy Davina Porter and I'm concerned that there is a new narrator being introduced to this series. He/she will have to go a long way to live up to Davina Porter's mastery of accents and ability to deliver a line. She's clearly one of those fine British actors that can do everything well and can squeeze the most out of every line.

A fun, if a bit predictable, mystery. The Scottish Highland setting is the star of the story. Set in the early 90's Hamish MacBeth's problem learning to use computers, login disc's and 5" floppies, was a reminder of how quickly technology has changed. Davina Porter is my favorite narrator, so if you can't wait for the next Diana Gabaldon this will tide you over.